an email from a friend

As we are nearing Easter this is a good reminder of what Jesus did for us.

At the age of 33, Jesus was condemned to the death penalty. That was then the "worst" death. Only the worst criminals were sentenced to death like Jesus.

And with Jesus things were worse, because not all the criminals condemned to death received nails on their hands and feet. Nails... big nails! Each was 15 x 20 cm long, with a point of 6 cm. Another point was sharp. The nails were driven into the pulses, and not into the palms, as we are accustomed to hearing. In the pulse, there's a tendon which extends to the shoulder, and when the nails were being hammered, that tendon broke, obliging Jesus to reinforce all the muscles of His back, so that He could breath as He was losing all the air from His lungs. In this way, He was forced to support Himself onto the nail carved into His feet, which was bigger than those carved into His pulses, for both feet were carved together. And, as His feet could not endure for a long time without tearing, Jesus was forced to alternate that "cycle" so that He could breath.

Jesus endured that reality over 3 hours. Yes, over 3 hours! Long time, isn't it? A few minutes before He died, Jesus was not bleeding anymore. He was simply pouring water from His cuts and holes. When we imagine Him injured, we only picture Him with injuries, but His wounds were true holes made into His body. He had no more blood to bleed, He only poured water. The human body is composed of nearly 3.5 liters of blood (for an adult). Jesus poured out all 3.5 liters of His blood; He had three nails hammered into His members; a crown of thorns on His head and, beyond that, a wound inflicted by a Roman soldier who shoved a spear into His side.

All this without mentioning the humiliation He passed after carrying His own cross for almost 2 km, while the crowd spat on His face and threw stones (the cross was almost 30 kg of weight, only for its higher part, where His hands were nailed).

Jesus had to endure all this so that you and I can have free access to God. So that your sins and mine could be "washed" away. All of them, with no exception! Don't ignore this. Do not believe that He only died for others (those who go to the church or for pastors, bishops, etc). He died for you and for me!

It's easy to pass jokes or foolish photos by e-mail, but when it comes to God, sometimes we feel ashamed to forward things like this to others because we’re worried at what they may think.

Accept the reality, the truth that JESUS IS THE ONLY SALVATION FOR THE WORLD. God has plans for us. Now think on this: May God bless your life!

During the next 60 seconds, stop whatsoever you're doing and seize this opportunity! All you have to do is:

1. Simply pray for the person who sent this message to you: Lord, you know better than I the life of _________. I ask You to bless him/her in all realms and make him/her prosperous. Take care of his/her family, his/her health, his/her work and all his/her plans for this year. Lead him/her not into temptation, but deliver him/her from evil. In Jesus' name, Amen.

2. Then, send this message to 10 people you love. Ten people will pray for you, and in turn, you will cause ten more to God for other people.

3. Think a moment and appreciate the power of God in your life, for doing what pleases Him. If you are not ashamed in doing this, follow Jesus' instructions. He said (Matthew 10:33): "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."

Yes, I love God. He is my source of life and my saviour. He keeps me alive day and night. Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him 'I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me'. Philippians 4:13.

This is the simple proof. If you love God and you're are not ashamed of all things He has done for you, send this to those you love.